Air France-KLM may partner Etihad

Chairman: “Wider partnership would be possible if it included Air Berlin”

Air France-KLM is reported to be considering a partnership proposed by Etihad Airways that includes the domestic routes within Germany operated by Air Berlin. Etihad owns around 30% of Germany’s loss-making but second biggest carrier. Air France-KLM also made a sizeable loss in 2011 and is going through a period of restructuring.“A partnership with Etihad would only make sense for us on the Paris-Abu Dhabi route and to other hubs,” Air France-KLM Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta told the German newspaper Die Welt. “On the other hand, a wider partnership would be possible if it included Air Berlin and its network in the German market.”Reuters[pictured: CFM-56 engine on Airbus A321; courtesy Air France]